FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Escobares as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Escobares gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #348 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Escobares faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Escobares’ grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Escobares, and Escobares’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #348 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Escobares’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Escobares has more expected damage per building than 54% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Escobares: $264K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Escobares flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Escobares. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Escobares isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Starr County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Escobares
Disasters that paid out in Escobares itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Escobares), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex$2K to the City of Escobares for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly$15K to the City of Escobares for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$17K to the City of Escobares for repairs
Starr County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Escobares after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Escobares archive →Escobares and its neighbors
Escobares is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roma | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Escobares | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Garceno | — | 149 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| La Rosita | — | 56 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| North Escobares | — | 171 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Escobares faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Escobares
Is Escobares at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Escobares has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #348 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Escobares in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Starr County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Escobares?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Escobares’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Escobares?
By FEMA money that reached Escobares, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): $17K to the City of Escobares for repairs.
Is Escobares at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Escobares’ rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Escobares.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Escobares’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.